Machine for reducing ores, &amp;c.



T. I. LOVETT.

MACHINE FOR REDUCING ORES, &c.

APPLICATION FILEID MAYZB, 1914.

1,175,966, w Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

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T. J. LOVETT.

MACHINE FOR REDUCING ORES, 61c.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1914.

1,175,966. Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

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MACHINE FOR REDUCING ORES, 6m.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1914.

1, 175,965. Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

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Chicago, in the county of Cook THOMAS tr.

LOVETT, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A conr.

ASSIGNOR TO COPPER PROCESS COMPANY,

OBATION OF SOUTH DAKOTA.

MACHINE FOR REDUCING ORES, 8w.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, acre;

Anplicatfim filed ma as, 1914. Serial No. 841,459.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs J. Lovn'r'r, a citizen of the United Statesf'residing at and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Reducing Ores, &c., of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates particularly to machines adapted for reducing materials, to a finely-divided condition, while adapted, when free metal is present in the ore in finely-divided form, to roll the metal particles into slug, "pellet or granular form. Such a machine is adapted, while reducing ores to a finely divided state, to largely maintain the particles in grallilular t ereform and t9 avoid excessive sliming,

by obviating the great losses which are incident to finegrinding machines in the standard practice. A machine operating upon the principle of the machine herein described is peculiarly valuable for treating ores containing free metals disseminated in fine condition through the rock, whether the free metals be native or whether they be produced by an artificial metallizing process. I

' The present invention constitutes an immachine set forth in provement upon the 7551,455, filed Novemmy application No. ber14,1912. I F

The primary object of the present invention isto provide a machine of large capacity, balanced parts, and economical operation.

The invention is, illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the improved machine; Fig. 2, a plan view of the machine; Fig. 3, a broken plan section taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. i, a vertical sectional view taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5, a fragmentary view of one of the rotary bedplates and one of the wear-plates thereon; and Fig. 6, an enlarged broken verticalsectional view illustrating one way in which the lower wear-plates, or dies, may be mounted on the rotary bed-plate.

In the illustration given, A represents a frame upon which the operative parts are mounted, B, a large central vertical shaft journaled in the frame; C, C, rotary members secured, one above the other, upon the shaft B; vD, D, reciprocating pressuremembers surmounting the rotary members; E, mechanism for reciprocating'the members D and D; F, F, annular collectingpans; and G, driving-mechanism for the moving parts referred to.

The frame A may be of any suitable construction. For a machine employing tenfoot rotary disks, the frame preferably has a base 1 which is approximately fourteen feet square, and from which rise cornerlnenibers 2, supporting the upper framework 3. The frame is shown stiffened by braces 4 located clear of the peripheral portions of the rotary members C, C.

The shaft B should be of ample dimensions and suitably journaled to prevent vibration. As shown, its lower end is supported in a step-bearing 5, preferably provided with anti-friction means; and the upper end of the shaft extends through a bearembers C comprises lower side equipped l with strengthening-ribs 8 and wear-plates or dies 9 mounted on the bed-plate and presenting a smooth, fiat upper surface. It is preferred to make the wear-plates 9 of very hard or chilled cast-iron. The bed-plate 8 may be provided at its periphery wlth a low lip-turned flange 8. The plates 9 preferably comprise a series of annular rows of plates, "which, when placed together, completelyffill the space between the flange 8 and the shaft. Each plate is therefore in the form of a section or segment of a ring, and the joints 9 between the lateral edges of the plates of each row are staggered with relation to the joints between the lateral edges of the plates of the adjacent row or rows. To facilitate placing the wear-plates 9 and obtaining a level upper surface, the bed-plate 8 has its upper surfacev provided with concentric milled grooves 8,upon the bottoms of which bear the milled lower ends of lugs 9 cast integrally with the lower portion: of the wear-plates. This lower surfaces of the wear-plates. A small intervening space may be left between the wear-plates andthe bed-plate, which may be filled with lead or cement 10 in the manner shown in Fig. 6, if .desired. It is understood, of course, that the rotarydisks are wholly supported by the shaft vB,'according to the preferred construction.

Each of the reciprocating pressure-members D, D preferably comprises a frame 11 having a circular member 11; several annular series of floating wear-plates 11"; and a central floating'plate 11 having an opening therethrough and formed with an elongated hopper 11 The; wear-plates fit closely together, completely filling the space between the frame-ring 11 and the central wearplate 11. Each wear-plate is in the'form ofa segment of a ring, and the 'joints 11 between the lateral edges of the wear-plates of each annular row are staggered with relation to the corresponding joints of the adjacent row or rows. The outer row of plates 11 have their outer peripheral portions equipped with vup-sta'nding flanges 12 and provided with central guide-recesses 13 which receive guide-lugs or keys 145 with which the "inner surface of the angle-ring 11 is equipped at proper intervals. The construction 'is such as to enable the plates to settledown to compensate for wear; The flanges 12 rise a suflicient distance so that they will remain in engagement with the upturned flange of the ring 11 until the, wear plates are worn to a condition wherethey must be discarded.

Each wear-plate 11 of the outer row is provided at its inner edge with a short interlocking tongue or lug15 which engages a corresponding recess or recesses in the intermediate annular. row of plates. A similar interlocking arrangement exists between the plates of the intermediate annular-row and the inner annular row. The inner edges of the inner annular row of plates are provided with recesses to accommodate interlocking lugs or tongues 16 with which the central or feed plate 11 is provided peripherally. It will be understood that by this arrangement the floating wear-plates of the reciprocating pressure and distributermember (D or D,.'as the case may be) are interlockingly connected with the reciprocating frame 11, so that any tendency of the wear-plates, which rest upon the rotary members C, C, toturn with said rotary members is overcome. Nevertheless, the

wear-plates of the reciprocating members a are left free to adjust themselves to con:

ditions in grinding. It is preferredto provide each of the outer row of plates 11- with a lateral tongue 17 which engages a corresponding vertical groove or recess in the adjacent edge of the adjacent plate. As has been indicated, the joints between the plates of the several rows are staggered, and

the joints are further broken by the use of the tongues or lugs 17. The purpose is to prevent the passage of any material from the center of the machine to the periphery without being ground between the upper floating plates and the rotary members upon which they rest. The outer and inner lower corners of the floatingplates are preferably rounded, or beveled, as indicated at 18, the

purpose being to facilitate the passage of suitable concentrating means. To enable the upper wear-plates to be handled, when discarding the worn outhplates or providing new plates, the plates are provided. on their upper'surfaces with lugs 18 having perforaticns therethrough, enabling a-bar to be inserted, or a grappling-hook to be applied. The frame 11 has its sides provided with straight members 19 which afford guides which rest upon rollers 20 and are confined between rollers 21 carried by brackets 22 extending inwardly from the sides of the frame. It is desir leto support the frame 11 clear of the rotary member, thus preventing the frame from wearing.

The mechanism E, which serves to recip- 'rccate the members D and D, comprises a rock-shaft 23 operated by arms 24 through the medium ofconnecting-rods 25; and arms 26 extending above and' below the shaft 23 and connected by links 27 to' studs or wristpins 28 which project laterally from the members19 of the frame 11," as shown 1n F1223; V

Each annular collecting-trough F, F has a sloping bottom' and is? provided with a discharge-spout 29. 'Tlie purpose is to collect the pulverized. material as it is dis- .chargedove'r the peripheries of the "disks;

and, inthe case of ores, the materials may then .pass to a concentrating table, or through aconcentrating-device.

The driving mechanism G is shown as comprising a shaft 30-equipped with a pinion 31 meshing with thefllarge bevel-gear 7;

a motor 32 having-a pinion 33 meshing with a gear 34 on the shaft 30; and a crank-shaft 35 driven from the shaft 30 by gears 36 and equipped at its ends with cranks 37 which actuate the connecting-rods 25.

. The operation'is as follows. "Through the medium of the driving-mechanism G the vertical shaft B is caused to rotate the rotary members C, G. The mechanism G, also, through the medium of the'connectingularly poun through pipes 39 In the operation,

rods 25, acti1ates the mechanism E and re-' ciprocates the upper pressure and distriblter-members, which rest upon the rotatingisks.

The material to he pulverized, which is preparatorily crushed, is fed t6 the central hoppers 1 1 as by means of conveyers 38.

In operating upon the harder ores, it is pre-' I ferred to feed the materials to the machine, after they have first been reduced to approximately ten-mesh, or finer. \Vater, in

limited quantities may be fed to the machine controlled by valves l0. the small pieces of ore are rolled or turned in ever-changing direction between the upper and lower pressure members, and the gan no is reduced to a very fine mesh, the ma erials, however, re-

maining largely in granular form and excessive shining bem avoided. In dealing with ores containing ree metals in fine particles, such as copper-ores or free-milling gold ores, the fine particles of metal arerolled together 1n slugs or pellets and are discharged, with the finely pulverulent gangue, over the peripheral portions of the disks, after which the metals may be separated by any suitable concentrator. It is noteworthy that the materlals are all caused to be ground between the reciprocating upper members and the rotary lower members, and direct passage of the ore-pieces through the peripheries of the disks 1s prevented by the arrangement of the flakes. The rate of feed may be regulated by the speed of the rotary members, and may be further regulated by y the flow of -Water fed to the machine.

In dealing withbrittle ores, and particthe softer ores, the materials may be fed through the machine very rapidly, and the fia kes may be made light enough to avo d SlllIllDg. Thus, it is possible to effect a higher degree of saving than has hitherto been possible. a

The weight of the upper plates should be iegulated accord ng to the materials being reate'd. Weight-plates (none shown) may be added to the upper pressure-plates, from time to time, as'the pressure-plates wear away. In dealing with quite hard copperbearing rock in the Lake Superior region, I have found it desirable to employ a pressure in the neighborhood of one hundred pounds per square food-and, in fact, have var ed the pressure from about eighty per square foot to one hundred and twenty pounds per square foot. In dealing with-very soft ores, such as sulfids, a lighter pressure 1s usually desirable.

The improved machine possesses a Very large capacity, floor-space considered; operates economically, and leaves the materials in'the best-form to effect a high saving. In the case. of ores containing free metals in very fine particles the increased saving which can be eifected by a machine operating upon this principle is especially marked, being, in some instances, double the saving which can be effected by methods in standard use. The machine is of balanced construction and operation, it being noted that the upper pressure member D moves in one direction while the other pressure-member D moves in the opposite direction.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in View of the prior art.

What I regard as newand desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a plurality of suitablyspaced. rotary members disposed one above the other, co-acting reciprocable pressuremembers comprising floating-plates resting upon said rotary members, and means for reciprocating said second-named members in opposite directions.

2. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a frame, a vertical shaft ed' by said shaft and fixed to rotate therewith, a reciprocable pressure and distributer-member co-acting with each rotary memjournaled therein, rotary members supporther and comprising floating-plates resting upon the rotary member, and means for shifting'sald reclprocable members wlth relation to the, rotary members.

3. In a machine of the character set forth, the combinationbf a frame, a vertical shaft iournaled thereln,

cable plate-frames above said disks; guides for said plate-frames, floating plates within said frames and resting upon the wearplates of said disks, means for feedingore and water to the central portions of the disks, actuating mechanism for said 'plateframes, and driving mechanism for the vertical shaft geared to said actuating mechanism.

4:. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a .lower rotary bed-plate, annular rows of wear-plates equipped on their lower surfaces with lugs bearing on the combination of a rotary member, are- I disks carried by said shaft and equipped with wear-plates, recipropurpose set forth.

rality of serles of independent pressureplates havingguide-connections withsaid frame and said seriesof plates having interlocking engagement with each other, for the 7. In a machine of the character set forth,

" the combination of a main frame, a rotary member, means' for actuatingthe rotary member, a reciprocable frame surmounting the rotary member,.guides for the reciprocable frame, and a-series of annular rows of independent pressure-plates within said reciprocable frame and resting upon-said rotary member, the outer pressure plates having vertical guide-connections with the reciprocable frame, and thmpressure-plates of the several'rows having interlocking connections, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a machine of the character set forth, v

the combination of a main frame, a rotary member, a reciprocable frame, means for actuating the rotary member, means for reciprocating-said second-named frame, an annular outer row of pressure-plates having vertical guide-connections with said reciprocable frame, and and adjacent annular row of independent pressure-plates having vertical tongue-and-groove-connections with the plates-. of the outer row.

9. In a machine of the character set forth,

.the combination of a mainframe, a rotary .member, a reclprocable frame, means for actuating the rotary member, means for reclprocating said second-named frame, an annular outer row ,of pressure-plates having vertical guide-connections with said reciprocable frame, and an adjacent annular row of pressure-plates having vertical tongu and-groove-connections with the plates of the outer row, the joints between the lateral edges of the plates of one row being stag? gered with relation to the joints between the lateral edges of the plates of the adjacent row.

10. In a- .machine of the character set forth, the combination of a main sframe, a rotary member, a. reciprocating frame, a plurality of annular rows of pressureplates within said reciprocable frame and resting on said rotary member, vertical guide-connections between the plates of the outer row and the reciprocable frame, vertical tongue-and-groove connections between the plates of the several rows, and a central hopper-equipped platehaving 7 vertical tongue-and-groove connections with the encircling inner row of plates.

11. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a main frame, a vertical shaft journ'aled therein, driving means connected with the upper end of said shaft, a pair of disks fixed to said shaft and equipped with wear-plates. a pair of reeiprocable' frames surmounting sald d sks,

guides on the main frame supporting said reciprocable frames, means for reciprocating said frames, pressure-plates withimsa d frames resting upon the wear-plates of said disks and provided with central feed-openings, and means for delivering materials to said central feed-openings.

THOMAS J. LOVETT. In-the presence of- V. B. DEARBORN, O. C. Avrsus. 

